Salvation By Shipwreck

Faith in God is demonstrated through trust and obedience.  Even when the circumstances of life seem to dictate more sensible courses of action than faith in God, trusting and obeying God no matter what are keys to comfort, rest, and salvation.  God never works in the way we might predict, for the ways of God are infinitely higher than those of men.  We might have an idea of what God is doing or what we might want Him to do, but God's judgments are not based on our shortsighted, often selfish perspectives.  For God's people all situations are worked out for our good.

The Bible is filled with demonstrations of faith by God's people.  God allows us to experience troubles, trials, and temptations so our faith and character might be refined as gold.  The book of Acts describes a situation when trust in the word of God contradicted men's best ideas or efforts for self preservation.  Paul had been arrested and was being transported by ship along with two hundred and seventy-five other men which was comprised of fellow prisoners, guards, and crew.  It was a risky time for sailing, but the helmsmen convinced the centurion they could reach a harbour in Crete.  Shortly after their departure, they were caught in a great tempest.  The crew and men did everything possible to survive.

Acts 27:16-20 reads, "And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. ¹⁷ When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. ¹⁸ And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. ¹⁹ On the third day we threw the ship's tackle overboard with our own hands. ²⁰ Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up."  The men did everything possible to save themselves.  They secured the skiff, undergirded the ship, struck sail to avoid running aground, lightened the ship, and finally threw all the tackle overboard.  All hope of being saved was finally given up.  Yet when there appeared no physical hope or help, God spoke to Paul who in turn proclaimed it to the men on board.

During his address Paul said in Acts 27:22-27, "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ²⁴ saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.' ²⁵ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. ²⁶ However, we must run aground on a certain island."  Paul urged the men to take heart because God had spoken to him, and promised there would be no loss of life - but only the ship.  When there was no hope an angel spoke to Paul and said, "Do not be afraid."  Without a shred of physical evidence beyond the word of God Paul took heart, believing that all would be exactly as God said:  the ship would be destroyed, but all would be saved.

Not everyone was keen to take God at His word.  They wanted to avoid running aground so they continued to take soundings to gauge depth.  As the depth gradually reduced and their fear of running aground seemed likely, some of the crew secretly decided to take matters into their own hands.  Their own efforts had been useless to that point, but were unwilling to remain on the ship despite God's promise.  Can't we do the exact same thing?  While pretending to let down the anchors, they lowed the skiff from the side.  Acts 27:31 says, "Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."  For God's word to be confirmed, all those on board needed to meet God's conditions:  stay on the ship until it runs aground, and then all will be saved.  Should some leave in disobedience, they would jeopardise their own lives and even the centurion who remained on board.

The passage concludes the next day in Acts 27:40-44:  "And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. ⁴¹ But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. ⁴² And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. ⁴³ But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, ⁴⁴ and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land."  What the passengers feared most God allowed to happen to them, yet trust in God's Word brought salvation:  all escaped safely to land.  God did not withhold violent waves from tearing the ship into pieces, nor did He preserve the ship.  When all hope was lost, God provided hope through shipwreck.

The disciples were shattered and afraid when Jesus Christ died on the cross.  All hope seemed lost.  Yet Satan's apparent victory was no defeat for God, for Jesus Christ rose from the grave immortal and glorified as He said.  It was in His death and resurrection all can have salvation and life.  It is in our dying to self - in losing our lives for the sake of Jesus - that we find everlasting life, love, salvation, and indescribable joy.  Do not fear the shipwrecks or trials by fire God allows in your life, for it is in the tempest or the furnace of affliction God will meet with you, speak comfort to you, and provide hope for you and others.  When all hope is lost, do not lose heart.  Those who trust God and His Word will never be put to shame.

Our Hope for Healing

"For thus says the LORD: 'Your affliction is incurable, your wound is severe. ¹³ There is no one to plead your cause, that you may be bound up; you have no healing medicines.'"

Jeremiah 30:12-13

There is no cure in this world for the ills which plague men.  The "self-help" section of shops and libraries has not diminished because of the success of previous editions.  New books are written to build upon the faulty foundation that man is able through effort to better himself.  The detestable nature of our hearts and afflictions of mind and body cannot be addressed by human means.  We have all sinned, and sin ultimately brings death.  Surgery does not cure, nor does therapy heal.  Our lives are one of physical decline, and all society with us.  Our affliction is incurable, and our wound is severe.

Those who believe lasting positive change in the world can by implemented through government programs, laws, taxes, religion, or tradition chase a mirage.  Only the LORD who accurately diagnoses the condition of men is able to do anything to cure it.  If a doctor treats a man for a common cold who has AIDS, his treatment will be ineffective and pointless without addressing the source.  The problem is not a runny nose or sore throat, but a systemic problem which weakens the body's defenses.  Treating symptoms without dealing with the cause only temporarily masks the problem.

If we were to ask "the man on the street" what is the biggest problem in the world today, he would no doubt supply an answer.  There are a plethora of potential responses.  The follow-up question is the more difficult one:  "What would you do or how could you fix the problem?"  Our affliction is incurable, our wound severe.  There is no one to help plead our cause, no one to bind our wounds we have suffered, and no balm to promote healing.  There is only one hope for this world:  Jesus Christ.  He is the One who raises the dead to life, gives those who trust in Him new hearts, supplies the Holy Spirit who comforts, convicts, helps, and instructs, and makes us new.  Naaman was cured from his leprosy by dipping seven times in the Jordan River at the word of Elisha the prophet, and all are washed clean from sin through the application of Christ's shed blood by faith. A relationship with Jesus Christ transforms our perspective and provides unshakable hope in a hopeless world.

Luke 4:17-21 speaks of when Jesus went into a synogogue in Nazareth:  "And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: ¹⁸ "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; ¹⁹ to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." ²⁰ Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. ²¹ And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."  For all who hear and trust in Jesus, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.  There is no earthy cure for what ails you, no medicine to heal your broken heart.  But if Jesus is able to cause the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the dead to live again, He can restore you to wholeness!  With a word He cast out demons from a distance, and by His Word the world was created.  He rose from the dead, proving His power over sin and death.  Because Jesus lives, He can be your life.

The Joy of Heaven

The life we live on earth is more than a springboard to eternity.  The abundant life provided through faith in Christ is to be lived in light of eternity.  Though eternity is forever, our lives during this temporary season on earth are important.  Our motives for living for God today and seeking the salvation of others matters.

Ask yourself:  why do I want to go to heaven?  Is it primarily for hell-avoidance, your own comfort, or so God will receive glory eternally from your life?  Why is it important for you to know loved ones or even total strangers go to heaven?  Would it be a relief for you to know they will be in God's presence forever because they will be safe, or is it because God deserves their praise and worship for eternity?  Is our view of heaven obscured by motives less pure than the everlasting glory of God?  It is ironic heaven is only heaven because God is there, and yet our picture of heaven can be clouded by who else will or won't be there, what activities we will enjoy, or how we will live.  Whether the thoughts of men are in the gutter or the clouds, the central figure considered by the natural man is universally self.

God loves and cares for all people, and therefore it is fitting we do too.  But since we as Christians will share eternity in the presence of the God who is holy, is our peace, and loves us without fail, we ought to care about serving, worshiping, and praising Him right now.  I ought to lament - not the fact someone might not spend eternity with Jesus Christ - but that they are robbing Him of praise and honour on earth today.  I ought to mourn over my own faithlessness, forgetfulness, and be determined not to allow an hour to pass when I have not been grateful to commune with my heavenly Father, humbly submitting myself before Him.  Basking in the grace and love of God, what a joy it is to meditate on His goodness towards all people!

Since God should be the central figure of our lives today, He also ought to be our focus concerning the eternal state.  His glory, praise-worthiness, and magnificence ought to consume my life.  His love and gracious gifts compel me to spend and be spent for His glory, and the transition to eternity will only increase my capacity for communion and worship.  God is hosting an eternal celebration for the ages, and to focus on any other aspect of heaven aside from Him misses the point.  Praise the LORD, for He is good.  Let us do all we can to glorify God in reaching people with the Gospel, so the Lamb of God will receive the reward of His suffering - not primarily for us or them, but for Him!

Knowing Better Than God

From the very beginning of creation, God set before man a way of life and death.  Man was free to chose to obey God or go his own way.  Before each person to this day, God has freely given the choice of choosing to trust God or rebel against Him.  Those whose eyes are opened to see God in truth, the most reasonable choice is to trust and obey Him - not that we are not often foolish and stray from the path of righteousness.  To the world and even to some in the church today, the Laws of God appear arbitrary and odd.  Others try to explain why God's ways actually make practical sense, for instance concerning the dietary restrictions in the Law of Moses.  The truth is, even if I can explain rationale behind some of God's commands, their good and righteous qualities do not hinge on my understanding why they exist or agreeing with them.  My explanations cannot do them justice, for God's ways are higher than mine.  In trusting God is good and righteous I must also accept His Laws and commands as altogether good, even though I might not understand them.

Consider the command of God through the prophet in Jeremiah 21:8-9, when the inhabitants of Jerusalem faced severe food shortages as the Babylonians waited at the gates:  "Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. ⁹ He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him."  By virtue of being God's chosen people, King Zedekiah and the Jews expected God to protect them and defeat their enemies.  But God said He would turn back the weapons of the Jews upon themselves, and the city would surely fall.  God set before His people the way of life and the way of death.  Those who hoped for refuge within the stronghold certainly die, but any who laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Gentile army who laid siege to their city would live.  That is not what the King nor his people wanted to hear.  Surrender to the Chaldeans?  Don't we serve a God who is mighty to save?  Isn't the temple King Solomon built where God placed His name still standing within our walls?  Surely God would never have us surrender!  The people chose to trust in their own wisdom than trust in God's Word.  What would you do:  trust in the walls of the citadel, defensive strategies, or weapons, or forsake it all in falling upon the mercy of God and your despised enemies?

The commands of God seem counter intuitive to us and therefore require faith.  Adam was told he was free to eat from any tree in the garden of Eden save one:  the fruit of the tree in the midst of the garden he was commanded not to eat.  Was it forbidden because the fruit possessed some poisonous neurotoxin which wouldn't agree with him?  Nope.  The fruit looked delicious, no doubt smelled appetising, and tasted divine!  Why else would Eve (after eating herself) give of the fruit to Adam?  There is no evidence there was anything physically damaging in the fruit.  But God had commanded them not to eat of that fruit, even warning them the result would be death.  After eating Adam's body continued to live for hundreds of years, seemingly unaffected by the fruit.  His body would eventually die, but the day sin and rebellion was conceived in his heart his soul surely died.  Only God could save Adam, through faith in God accounted as righteousness.  Adam and all his seed after him was cursed - not because of the pulp he chewed and swallowed, but because of disobedience and rebellion before a holy God.  Sin is attractive and the taste is sweet to our flesh.  Something that feels or tastes so good can't be wrong!  But just like the Jews during the Babylonian siege and many people today, Adam chose his own way.  It is the way of death.

Men, governments, and nations again and again demonstrate they believe they know better than God.  They scoff at His commands and persist in following the dictates of their own wicked hearts.  Even professing Christians mock the Laws of God in the Old Testament.  "Shaving off the corners of my beard is a sin?  Eating yeast on a certain day is wrong?  Gathering sticks on the Sabbath is punishable by death?  You mean I can't eat bacon?"  It is true born again Christians are completely free from keeping the letter of the Law, but it does not limit the reach of the Law.  Christ has ordained a better covenant based upon better promises (Hebrews 8:6), and has given us the Holy Spirit who governs us from within.  But the Law remains good and righteous.  The world and unregenerate sinners are as condemned under God's Law as ever.  It is a mirror which shows us how sinful we are in God's sight, how far we are from keeping the Laws of God, and that we have done countless things deserving of punishment and death willfully and out of ignorance.  Not one person save Christ has perfectly performed with a pure heart all the Law demands and not once did what was forbidden.

Jesus did not come to destroy the Law or prophets but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17).  He came to finish and complete the Law.  The Law remains perfect and good, even if we can't understand why certain laws exist, when reading the Law makes us shake our heads, scoff, or laugh out loud.  These foolish responses reveal how shortsighted, wicked, and desperately sinful we actually are.  In our natural state we are enemies and opposed to God, and we think we know better.  God is not stupid, and His Laws are all forged in righteousness.  He has never uttered a foolish word, and He always means what He says.  God is the one who places before each one of us a narrow way which leads to life, and a broad way which leads to destruction:  the choice is ours.  Eternal salvation, forgiveness from sin, and a relationship with the Living God is found only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  Laugh all you want, but it is the truth.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).  No one comes to the Father except through Him.  Because of our own sin, every one of us is going to die.  Trusting in Christ is the only way to be saved.  Which road are you on?  Salvation is more than just securing an eternal destination, but a relationship with God and a new life to be experienced with Jesus today.

Do you think you know better than God?  Can a man stop time or keep himself from dying?  Who is the man powerful enough to challenge, oppose, and rebel against his Maker and live eternally to boast about it in paradise?  Naked we are born, and naked we die.  If we die in our sins, we go to hell.  Only those clothed in Christ's robes of righteousness will gain entry to heaven and find peace in the presence of God.  Revelation 21:5-8 records the words of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world for sinners:  "Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." ⁶ And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. ⁷ He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."  Sin brings death, but the gift of God is life through Jesus Christ.  Eating the fruit in the garden brought death, but partaking of the Son of God through faith brings eternal life!